Yes, working hard is a critical key to success, but if the needle doesn’t seem to be moving, the good news is there’s probably more you can do to help propel your career forward. “You can’t just wait for a great mentor or boss to take you under their wing,” says Augustine.

What you can do is take control of your own career destiny by examining your behaviors and being observant about some of the outside factors that might be holding you back.

To help you take the wheel and put yourself back on the path of career advancement, start by thinking through these common career-stalling culprits to see if any apply to you:

A Competitive Coworker

“If something about a coworker’s behavior feels off, trust your gut,” says Augustine. For instance, if someone is being extremely friendly to you but throwing shade on other coworkers, avoid playing the role of the enabler by sitting there and listening to their rants. For starters, it will help you avoid being “guilty by association” along with someone who stirs up unnecessary drama. And if your coworker does have more malicious intentions beyond just being a gossip, you don’t want to provide him or her with any intel. Says Augustine, “Just imagine what they’re saying about you behind your back.”

It could also be that you have an insecure colleague who is trying to take the spotlight by conveniently forgetting to invite you to meetings, or who takes credit for your ideas.

Proactive Plan

Your first approach should be to try to improve your relationship with all of your team members – especially those who could be standing in the way of your progress. Inviting them to lunch to discuss how you can work better together may be a helpful approach, says Augustine.

But if you are in a highly competitive workplace, keeping a paper trail can help keep everyone honest. “Get everything in writing,” advises Augustine. If you have to work on a project with someone and you have a conversation, send an email right after that reiterates what you just discussed. “And if you have to ‘cc’ someone, do it,” says Augustine. The more you can cover your butt, the better.

As for confronting them about not giving you props, be direct and straightforward, but keep your cool. Stress that it’s important for everyone to know the project was a team effort – and set an example by giving credit when appropriate. Also, request that you be kept in the loop on updates or meetings.

The Technology Time Suck

If you’re always working and but never seem to get your work done, it might be a good time to take a step back and audit your time, says Augustine. In other words, are you wasting time online? Are you bogged down by your inbox because you aren’t using productivity tools to your advantage? Do you find yourself doing battle with constant notifications and distractions that are competing for your attention?

Even if you always meet your deadlines, think about how it looks if every time your boss passes by, you’re looking flustered or overwhelmed. “Perception is reality,” says Augustine. And you don’t want others to perceive you as someone who is tech-challenged.

Proactive Plan

Do a productivity check in which you actually keep track of your time for a couple of days. There are apps and software available to help you time track so you can become aware of how much time you spend down the digital rabbit hole, says Augustine. “Once you figure out what’s your kryptonite at work, you have to manage it,” she adds.

If you have downtime, think about how you can use that time to your career advantage, advises Augustine. For instance, you can take a coffee break with someone in a different department who can share tips on how they organize their desktop. Or you can try organizing your email inbox into folders for easy reference.

Flying Too Far Under the Radar

If you want to get ahead, not only do you have to deliver, but you have to be recognized for those accomplishments, says Augustine. In other words, while you shouldn’t be tooting your own horn every time you finish a task, you do have to work on your personal brand.

“Don’t be ashamed to share your enthusiasm and keep people informed about a big win or positive results,” says Augustine. No one is going to move you up the ranks if they don’t know what you’re doing.

Proactive Plan

Create a brag book. Augustine says it can be a simple Word document to keep a record of new responsibilities you’ve taken on, promotions you’ve received, goals you’ve accomplished, kudos you’ve gotten, etc. That way, if your supervisor asks for an update or it’s your turn to talk about what you’re working on in a staff meeting, you’ll have a handy list of your recent accomplishments. Plus, by documenting these achievements, you’ll be able to pull them up when you sit down for your review, or when you want to update your resume and online profile pages. Performing this exercise will remind you to take credit for your accomplishments, and track your career progress.

Giving Off a Robotic Vibe

If you’re the analytical type who has the ability to pinpoint problems (a great strength!), it could also make you come across as someone who seems to be poo-pooing ideas that come down the pipeline.

“It’s OK to be realistic, but are you pointing out problems without offering solution?” asks Augustine.

Proactive Plan

Practice giving feedback that always starts with a compliment and ends with an idea. That way, even if you are delivering constructive criticism, your colleagues will find your delivery both pleasant and valuable.

If you’re just not the warm and fuzzy type, that’s OK – a little practice goes a long way. Try looking cues from people around the office who seem to be well-respected. How are they standing, sitting, and interacting in meetings? If they always seem to say just the right thing, what is it about the way they phrase things that resonates with everyone? Once you crack their code, try to emulate it.

Meeting But Not Exceeding Expectations

You always get positive marks on your employee reviews, yet when new opportunities come along, you’re not top of mind. What’s the deal? It could be that you’re so focused on doing your job well that you’re not reaching out for the types of opportunities that can get you noticed.

“Doing what’s in your job description will allow you to keep your current job, but it does not propel your career forward,” she says. Augustine recalls a great piece of advice she once heard from Dan Gordon, a leadership speaker: “He said, ‘Yesses may go unnoticed, but no’s will always be remembered.’”

Proactive Plan

Work up the courage to throw out ideas and offer yourself up for things for which your skill set and expertise can be valuable. Try asking your supervisor: “What else can I be doing to help my department, my team, or the company meet their goals?”

Not only will this position you as someone who is dedicated to helping the company succeed, but once you’ve established a track record of going above and beyond your job description, you’ll be in the perfect position to request a sit-down with your manager to discuss taking on a more advanced role (and the promotion boost that comes with it!).

If any of the above apply to you, it’s time to turn things around. The good news is, more is in your control than you may think, says Augustine. “Avoid self-sabotage and pay attention to how you react when things don’t go your way. Both are equally important to feel more empowered in your career.”